UAE National Guard Rescues 22 Crew from Burning Cargo Ship
The UAE National Guard has rescued all 22 crew members of a cargo ship that caught fire in the Gulf of Oman, the stretch of sea off the United Arab Emirates’ east coast that leads to the Strait of Hormuz. The rescue was announced on 8 November 2026.
According to the National Guard, its Coast Guard unit started the operation after the ship’s crew sent a distress report about the fire. Specialised teams were sent out to find the vessel, reach it and take everyone off safely.
All the rescued crew are Arab nationals. They were given basic medical aid at the scene and were later handed over to the relevant authorities. The National Guard said all 22 are in stable condition, and no injuries were reported.
From the CrewMirror Blog
The authorities have not named the ship or its flag, and they have not said what caused the fire or what state the vessel is in now. On the previous day, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had separately reported an incident involving a bulk carrier and military forces east of Khor Fakkan in the Gulf of Oman. It is not clear whether the two events are linked.
The Gulf of Oman and the nearby Strait of Hormuz remain a high-risk area for merchant shipping, with many ships damaged in the region this year. In October, the same UAE force rescued 22 Asian seafarers from a burning oil tanker in the Arabian Gulf.
CrewMirror Takeaway
A quick and clear distress call made this rescue possible. Crews trading in the Gulf of Oman should keep fire drills, distress procedures and VHF/GMDSS checks sharp, as help can reach them fast when they raise the alarm early.
